BestBuy set to launch CinemaNow video download service

Best Buy has announced that its anticipated CinemaNow-based online video download service launch will happen later this month, giving users a chance to buy or rent movies and TV episodes.

The large retailer is moving into a crowded market currently dominated by Amazon and Apple and to a lesser degree by streaming services such as Netflix's Watch Instantly and Vudu, which was recently acquired by Wal-Mart.

The store is based on Sonic's CinemaNow service, and will be built right into devices sold in-store under the Insignia brand. Devices range from DVD and Blu-ray players to HDTV sets.

The service will also be built into the same devices through other manufacturers later in the year.

When the service launches, Best Buy says it expects to have thousands of new releases, indie films, catalog films and TV eps available. Some of the titles will be available on the same day as their DVD counterpart.

1 user comment

I gotta say, I'm loving the Netflix streaming. To me it's pointless to either pay a per-use rental fee, or pay to own, a downloaded movie. The Netflix and Redbox business models make far more sense value wise, but that's just my two cents.